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  • 1.  Discussing with Husband

    Posted 05-15-2023 11:13 AM

    Hello all. What would you do in this situation?
    A few months ago, we observed a tenant staying for extending periods of time (3-4 hours) at the facility  which we remotely manage with cameras. One day, while on-site doing maintenance, this tenant was in her car and appeared to be sleeping (I didn't bother her as I had other things I needed to do and get back to pick up son from daycare). Our first thought was she's on drugs... 

    Later that week, her husband called asking for her gate code so he could drop a bunch of her stuff off in front of her unit. He said they have been married a long time but were currently going through a potential separation. I let him know I couldn't grant access (he is not authorized on her account). He understood and was very nice about it plus there was no way I was going to just let him dump a bunch of crap in front of her unit.

    I let him know I did observe her for what seemed like her sleeping in her car (let him know we were generally concerned - not that she was doing anything wrong but it felt out of place for her). He told me she had recently gone to Mexico to get some dental work done and the dentist botched her teeth to the point she had been on pain meds and not sleeping well at all. He said due to her traveling for work in her car, that she probably felt the need to pull over and rest and since they've been on the rocks at home. She probably chose to rest in her car (this was back in Spring when the weather was nice). I checked the grounds and in front of her unit and noticed nothing illegal or suspicious. Up until this point, she's been a good tenant and paid on time. 

    Fast forward, she is now two month's past due. When talking to her husband at the time, he had asked me to notify him if she ever fell behind because even with everything they had going on, he still loves her and wouldn't want her to loose all her belongings. She is now two months behind.

    Can I legally call him to discuss her account balance and take payment IF he would like to make payment on her behalf? She hasn't responded to calls, text and emails so it's either we call him and see if he still wants to do so or take next steps in the auction process.

    What would you do? I am not looking to get myself in hot water over this but would like to do the nice thing if she is honestly just in a period of struggle and can avoid auction costs/loss.



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    Ryan Stalling
    Steel Roots Storage LLC
    Waxahachie TX
    (972) 921-7309
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  • 2.  RE: Discussing with Husband

    Posted 05-15-2023 12:51 PM

    I would contact the husband and give him the option to bring the account up to date.  This gesture of course would NOT gain him access to the unit. 
    I have done it in several situations.  Husband / wife.  Mother / Daughter.  Grandparent / You get the idea.  They can generally get in contact with the person to arrange removal / future payments.



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    Thomas Kent
    United Storage of Bowie
    Bowie TX
    (972) 672-2120
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  • 3.  RE: Discussing with Husband

    Posted 05-17-2023 11:45 AM

    Thanks Kent! I went ahead and gave the husband a call and he gave me her new number. All worked out. Appreciate your recommendation.



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    Ryan Stalling
    Steel Roots Storage LLC
    Waxahachie TX
    (972) 921-7309
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